Easter bonnets order of the day for local youngsters and families who were given their chance to walk and run along the nearly complete Elveden bypass. Photo: Steve Adams

The opening will see one lane open in each direction on the new 3.6 mile stretch, with a 40mph speed limit.

Motorists on the A11 will no longer have to pass through the B1106 traffic lights as a result, with a bridge in place over the road.

The work comes as part of the A11 dualling project taking place between Barton Mills and Thetford.

The Highways Agency had planned to open the bypass tomorrow (Friday) but said final works will now take place on Sunday night, subject to satisfactory weather conditions.

A spokesman from the agency said it hopes the road will open by 6am on Monday, with all traffic using the bypass as the regular route.

HGVs that normally use the C633 towards Bury St Edmunds will be directed to leave the A11 at the new B1106 junction and follow signs to continue their normal route.

Advanced warning signs will be placed along local roads directing traffic and access to businesses and properties along the B1106 and within Elveden Village will remain open as usual, via the new junction.

Once the bypass is opened, work will begin to construct the new southbound slip road less than a mile south of the Thetford roundabout. This work is expected to take approximately 12 weeks.

Highways Agency project manager, Geoff Chatfield, said: “Work on the A11 dualling and improvement scheme is progressing well, and with the opening of the A11 bypass we have reached a key milestone.

“This opening brings us one step closer to delivering smoother, faster journeys along and around the A11 in Suffolk. We have worked closely with local partners to ensure disruption to road users during the closures is kept to a minimum.

“Although this is just a partial opening with one lane in each direction with a 40mph speed limit for the time being, road users and local residents will see an immediate benefit of reduced congestion and smoother journeys.”